Mobile Phone 'Flight Mode'

Hi

Anybody know if it's ok to use my Nokia mobile phone / MP3 player in 'Flight Mode' whilst onboard [?]

The answer depends on which airline you are talking about. On Virgin all phones must be turned off entirely. This means flight mode is not allowed.

Before you say there are some smart phones (Most phone/PDAs for example, mine included) which cannot be turned off with out removing the battery. And if you remove the battery for 8 hours, you loose all your data. There is not a clear VS policy on this. So I turn mine to flight mode, and do not use it. Tucked away in the bag it can do no harm.

Whether the staff would recognise a PDA as a phone (rather than an ordinary non-phone PDA), I don't know. And if you choose to chance it, then it is up to you. In my case I am only too glad to get rid of the damned thing for a few hours.

[Decker]

Quite a discussion about this here.

[preiffer]

Originally posted by sailor99
Before you say there are some smart phones (Most phone/PDAs for example, mine included) which cannot be turned off with out removing the battery. And if you remove the battery for 8 hours, you loose all your data. There is not a clear VS policy on this. So I turn mine to flight mode, and do not use it. Tucked away in the bag it can do no harm.

To be fair Jeremy, there is an absolutely clear VS policy on this: NO transmitting devices are allowed to be used onboard at any time.

They are not permitted to be switched to "flight mode" - 'they must remain off for the duration of the flight'. (quote)

Not quite Paul, as I understand it, although ISTBC. I believe all transmitting devices are to be turned off rather than not used. This leaves someone with a smart phone in a little bit of a quandary. Of course the common sense answer is to put it into flight safe then tuck away in your bag. But in these security conscious times, where any deviation from the rules no matter how minor is stamped on from a great height, sometimes one worries about using your common sense.

The rules say they must be turned off.

Originally posted by Denzil
The rules say they must be turned off.

I know. But the point is, is it a silly rule if there is no off button?

[preiffer]

Originally posted by sailor99
I know. But the point is, is it a silly rule if there is no off button?

Nope - it's a silly device if it doesn't have an off button [:p]

A list of silly devices as I know them from having had them at one time or another.

All the HP range
All the O2 XDA range
All the Vodaphone VPx range
IPAQ's
Journadas
......

In all these cases the "flight mode" is the off! Other airlines recognise this. Some don't.

I am amazed these devices don't have a small lithium coin cell (2032 or similar) to back up the data when the main pack is disconnected.

They do have a back up power supply, but not sure what it is as you cannot "get at it". It will give you limited cover, about 6 hours on my PDA. So probably just about OK for JFK, but anywhere else, forget it.

[Neil]

Its so stupid that you cannot turn certain equpment off, I would go out of my way to make sure I never bought one of those stupid Items, why would you need/want something on 24/7?

[Darren Wheeler]

Luckily my PDA has a full power off function by pressing and holding the power button.

The problem isn't helped by the flight mode being activated by software rather than hardware. With say, a laptop you can usually either turn the module off physically or unplug the card. With software you have to take it on trust that it is truely powered off and not just saying it is while merrily pumping out a signal.

There are plenty of silly rules in aviation, it's following these silly rules that helps to help keep it safe. Sorry if you can't be without your mobile office for 6 to 11 hours, i guess you'd be the same type receiving mobile phone calls every 10 minutes when they allow it!!!

I think I've opened up a can of worms here..[:0]

Personally I can do without my 'electronic tagging device' (don't know about my office though!)

The thought behind the OP was would I be able to use the Mp3 player with the phone in flight mode, and for no other purpose?

[:?]

Ooops! just re-read some of the replies... VS say devices definately OFF[:I]

No' can of worms' droflet, so don't worry. Just me getting on my high-horse again (rules with little or no purpose or those that cannot be implemented) - I guess it is a sign of my age you know (see the cutlery thread for proof)!

Just me getting on my high-horse again (rules with little or no purpose or those that cannot be implemented) - I guess it is a sign of my age you know (see the cutlery thread for proof)!

I totally agree[y]

On the subject of "flight mode", a quick glance at the CX website will show that selection of flight mode is ok for them.